Plotin als Exeget

Plotinus presents himself as an interpreter of Plato. He claims to teach nothing new. According to him, some basic insights were made already by Plato’s predecessors, but the fullest account of the truth is to be found in Plato’s writings. Nevertheless, Plato’s successors did not always understand him correctly. Hence, Plotinus takes Plato as an authority when interpreting other philosophers. Dealing with Plato’s writings themselves, however, he is highly selective. This shows that he interprets them in the light of preconceived principles. These principles are based on the insight into the structure of reality the reader of Plato’s writings is supposed to acquire with their help. This is also the aim of Plotinus’ own writings. The ultimate criterion of truth for any interpretation is the contemplated reality itself. The present chapter summarises the leading principles of Plotinus’ exegetical method and then illustrates his practice on a number of characteristic examples.